Following Donald Trump's tenure, the US has intensified actions against illegal immigrants, leading to the deportation of Indians residing unlawfully. Currently, thousands of Indians in the US are on H-4 visas as minors. However, as many of them approach the age of 21, their future remains uncertain, as they can no longer qualify as dependents of H-1B visa-holder parents under existing immigration laws.

Many affected individuals are now exploring migration options to Canada and the UK. The backlog in the US employment-based Green Card system significantly impacts Indian immigrants. Recently, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the H-1B visa registration period for the 2026 fiscal year, running from March 7 to March 24. The H-1B visa program allows US companies to hire foreign professionals, but the annual cap remains at 65,000 visas. To prevent fraud and ensure a fair selection process, USCIS has introduced a beneficiary-centric selection system.

As of March 2023, nearly 1.34 lakh Indian children and their families are estimated to be transitioning out of dependent visas before securing a Green Card. Due to the massive backlog in the US immigration system, many applicants face extended wait times for permanent residency, with some applications taking between 12 to 100 years for approval.